Weather in Kansas City

Kansas City is in the midwest region of the United States, an area sometimes referred to as “America’s Heartland.”

Because the Midwest sits in between two oceans and has lots of cross-country weather patterns blowing through, this area often experiences sudden changes in temperature. The midwest is also home to four distinct seasons—winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Average Temperatures

Annual average temperature—53.6°F (12°C)

Days with a maximum temperature of 90°F (32°C) or higher: 35

Days with a minimum temperature below freezing: 110

The hottest months of the year are June–August, when the average temperature is 89°F (31.6°C). During these months, some days can be 95°F (35°C) or higher.

The coldest months of the year are December–February, when the average temperature is 29.1°F (-1.6°C). During these months, some days can be 15°F (-9.4°C) or lower.

Preparing for Winter Weather

During the winter months (November–March), Kansas City sometimes experiences harsh winter weather, which can include freezing temperatures, snow, and freezing rain. Even though these conditions are occasional, it is important to be prepared for them.

Clothing

You will need warm clothes for the winter months, including a winter coat, hat, gloves, boots, and a scarf.

Practical supplies

A snow shovel (Depending on your living situation, you may be responsible for clearing sidewalks and driveways. If you don’t already have one, it would be wise to purchase a shovel at the beginning of the winter. If you wait until it snows, the stores are often sold out.)

Severe Weather

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and are accompanied by lightning. Only 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe, and the chances of being struck by lightning are 1 in 600,000.

On rare occasions, power will be lost during a thunderstorm. For this reason, it is good to have extra food, water, a flashlight, and essential household items in advance.

Tornadoes

A tornado is a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from the sky to the ground. Kansas and Missouri are known for tornadoes, and though it is unusual for the area near IHOPKC to experience them, it is important that you know how to respond to one.

Tornado watch

“When conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area,” the National Weather Service will issue a “tornado watch.” This means that the weather conditions could easily produce a tornado but one has not yet formed. In general, “good” conditions for tornado formation are a hot, humid day that suddenly cools down. When hot, humid air and a cool air current collide, they can sometimes cause a swirling pattern that produces a tornado. Before a tornado forms, it is common to feel a sudden change in temperature with the air becoming very still just before a funnel cloud develops.

In the event of a tornado watch, a local weather station or app will have an alert, indicating that a watch has been issued. Depending on the potential severity of the storm, you may also hear a loud siren (“tornado siren”).

At this stage, it is wise to be aware of the weather and have a plan for taking shelter quickly.

Tornado warning

A tornado warning is issued when a funnel cloud has been spotted in the sky or has touched down in the area. If a tornado warning is issued, a loud siren will sound and you should take shelter immediately. Tornado sirens will sound for the entire county in which a funnel cloud or tornado has been sighted. The best way to track the location and direction of a tornado is with a weather app or on a local TV or radio weather station.

Taking shelter from a tornado

In the event of a tornado warning, take shelter immediately. If at all possible, go to a corner of the basement away from any windows. If there is no basement, find an interior room away from windows and doors, such as a closet, hallway, or bathroom. Take shelter under a table, heavy blanket, or mattress to protect you from flying debris. Get as low to the ground as possible and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Most properties of the International House of Prayer (including the IHOPU campus) have Emergency Safe Areas which are designated by signs around the property.

Test siren: Please note that a test siren goes off every Wednesday between 11am and 12pm.

Helpful links for more information about severe weather

Ready.gov provides some excellent emergency preparedness resources that you can read through. A few of them are highlighted below:

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